Summer Swap

Have you signed up for this yet?

I'm doing it and you should to.

Why?

Because I want to swap with you.

So go over to Flip Flops and Combat Boots and sign up.

Do it now!

Do-Over: Rustic Bench & Antique Mirror

My plea for help regarding the outfit I'm wearing tomorrow was an overwhelming, unanimous decision for outfit #1. Since I was already leaning towards that one, I am exciting that ya'll agreed. Now that my outfit is decided, I'm moving on to the next link-up.

Mrs. S is hosting a weekly link-up for DIY projects. Have you seen the stuff she's done? It's amazing. Check out her great projects and many others!

My first project was a rustic bench that I found at the post thrift store. It was $8.

You can see the before shot in the video tour of my house (watch the deck video) in this post.

After 6 hours of paint stripping, I realized it was going to take a lot more stripping and sanding in order for me to be able to stain it.

So I changed to paint instead.

Finished product.

My initial reason for the purchase was to have some outdoor seating on our deck.

We went back and forth on possibly cleaning it up and bringing it indoors to use by our front door as a shoe bench. After measuring, it won't fit in the entryway, so for now it will stay on the deck.

I might run by the fabric store this weekend and find some durable outdoor fabric and batting and make a little cushion for the bench. Then, it will really be a great seat for our deck.

Stay tuned for that project and maybe I'll link up again!

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The second project was this mirror I found at the local Goodwill. It cost me $1.99.

As you can see, the original version wasn't really my style. Mauve isn't one of my color choices, but I loved the texture, size and details of the mirror.

First, I removed the backing a the mirror, so I could paint freely without causing any damage.

Then I lightly sanded. I didn't need to strip all the paint, because of the type of paint I was using, texture was perfectly fine.

I used some "Make it Stone!" spray paint...

...and transformed the mirror into a great new piece!

I haven't even decided where I'm going to put the mirror, but I can't wait to try some of the locations. So far, I'm having fun with these projects and can't wait to do more!

All Dressed Up: Graduation Dress Options

I have three dress outfits today and I need your help deciding which one to wear.

Tomorrow is Al's WLC graduation. Sure, it's not that big of a deal, but it's the first Army event I get to attend and show my pride for my super-awesome husband.

Which means I need to look spectacular.

{Click to see larger images}

Outfit 1

Details:

Dress - Old Navy

Belt - H&M

Shoes - Candies

Outfit 2

(this one is probably too casual, but I threw it in there anyway.)

Details:

Top - Heartbreakers (small boutique shop in Minnesota)

Skirt - Old Navy

Belt - Forever 21

Shoes - Charlotte Russe

Outfit 3

(This is what happens when Al is the photographer: "Stick your butt out, honey.")

Details:

Dress - H&M

Shoes - Gap

Bracelet - Lia Sophia

Adventures in Thrifting

I've never been a thrifter.

In college I would stop by a thrift store if I needed something for a costume or for a particular piece I didn't want to spend a lot of money on. But they were pieces I used for that event and tossed.

Beyond that, thrifting was never a big thing. When I realized that it wasn't much different then garage-sale-ing (which I do A LOT with my fam) I thought I should try it more. And with the amount of free time I have this summer to do the shopping, and adapt pieces to my style, it's the perfect time to break into the scene.

I found this great mirror at a thrift store recently:

I'm not into the pink frame, so I have a plan to re-vamp it. Stay tuned this week for that project.

A few years ago, I picked this little gem up at a garage sale:

I LOVE this thing! It's great for quick shaves or when you have just a tiny bit of (hairy) skin sticking out. It has always worked beautifully and has been a saving grace for some very important moments.

And c'mon, it's also frickin' adorable.

We'll see what else I come up with on my next thrift store adventures.

Summer Goals: Revisited

Now that I'm settled in here in El Paso, I thought I'd go back over my summer goals.

Additionally, I've created a more specific work-out schedule, and daily and weekly to-do's.

My plan is to post each Monday on what I accomplished the previous week and what my goals are for the upcoming week, with the obvious end result of completing the entire summer goals list (and possibly more if I get really, really productive!)

Here is the list:

1. Take a boxing class

Progress: Purchased class. Need to schedule for first session.

2. Work on my long-paper

(Ultimate Goal: complete research and first draft by summer-end to be reviewed by Prof.)

Progress: Downloaded software to organize research. Created research map so I can get started.

3. Learn how to cook at least a week-worth of meals

4. Get my conceal-and-carry permit

5. Re-take the MPRE (August test date)

6. Visit family in Arizona

No longer applicable. My family is traveling to Alabama instead of Arizona.

7. Revamp my resume and cover letters

8. Read 10 books from my reading list

9. Take at least one weekend getaway with Al

Progress: Looking into a weekend trip to Colorado to check out Ft. Carson

10. Put together list of employment opportunities for my return to MN

11. Volunteer with an on-post organization

12. Get another tattoo

13. Find bike trails in El Paso and start riding a bike

14. Volunteer with a community-based organization (off-post)

15. Renew my CPR and First Aid certifications

16. (used to read "strip and paint the bedroom shelves" but I'm changing it because I didn't bring those shelves and have other painting projects to do.)

17. Learn how to make homemade sushi

18. Sew covers for couch pillows

19. Determine a solid work-out routine

(Ultimate goal: lose 20 lbs, tone muscle and re-gain strength & flexibility)

Progress: Completed work-out calendar.

20. Get boudoir photos taken

21. Determine my final-year game-plan

22. Put together Shutterfly wedding album

23. Make new headboard

24. Practice and re-new my German knowledge

25. Take care of my husband in every way possible!

Progress: On-going and constant!

Relaxed

I could blog.

But then I'd have to scour my brain to think of something interesting to say.

And after a day hanging out in the sun, a delicious meal and a few hours curled up on the couch next to my husband, I'm just too darn relaxed to do that.

I'll try to blog tomorrow.

Or whenever my "sitting on my ass" lifestyle stops being so darn awesome.

All Dressed Up

I am the worst photographer ever. I think going forward I am going to try and have Al take the photos so I can get better results. At any rate, the outfit rocks. It turned out a little patriotic (unintentionally) but I really like it. I really wish hats like this were acceptable for everyday wear because I just can't get to the beach enough in the middle of the desert.

Link up with Lady to play along!

My New Home: In Video

First, please forgive the videography. There are quite a few times where I figured I would show the long-view by turning the camera vertically. The problem: in video mode that turns the camera. (Duh!) Unfortunately, I don't have any editing capabilities to turn it back the correct way, so the videos will have to do as-is. So very, very sorry!

Second, you will notice that I am a total hot-mess. That would be because I am working on the bench on my deck: stripping, sanding, staining, etc... and happen to be wearing the appropriate attire for that. Sloppy hair and no makeup included.

Finally, I was going to re-do some of the videos after saying stupid or weird things. Instead, I've decided to keep them as is. No editing. No re-do's. Just me.

Sleeping Issues

I've been trying to write my road trip and new apartment posts all day today.

But every time I sit down to do so, my head is all muddled and groggy.

It's not that the trip wasn't wonderful and my time in the new place hasn't been everything I could have asked for. In fact, it has far surpassed my expectations thus far.

Actually, it's because I am tired.

A week ago, today, I was on the last third of the road trip which ended in a total of 26 hours awake. Since then, I've gotten a full night of sleep every night. Yet, I cannot seem to catch up.

Last night didn't help. I couldn't fall asleep and once I did, it was restless.

I can't tell if it's because I'm in a new place or because Al snores or simply because it was simply "one of those nights." Tonight, I am taking a Melatonin and drinking some warm tea, hoping that calms my body and I can sleep soundly.

After all, I have a lot of leisurely things to do and I can't be too tired for that!

Loving my new life

Oh ladies, how I've missed you...

I had the intention of returning on Friday and posting some exciting stories about the road-trip from Minnesota to Texas and about settling into the new place. With Blogger going down last week and cancelling my guest-posts and with our flight "incident" (read more below) I changed my mind.

Don't worry, I will still tell those stories. And I will post a photographic tour of the new place once I've put the last few touches on it. In the meantime, the extra break has been nice.

It has been heavenly.

I loved having my sister here with me to help me get everything organized and to keep me company during Al's long work days. We were able to reconnect on the road trip and during her time here and I feel blessed to have had that time with her.

Hopefully, she'll be able to visit again later this summer and we can do more "fun stuff."

We did have an interesting airline "incident" on Friday. I hustled Ginger to the airport for her afternoon flight and decided to go in with her.

{This was her first time flying alone - - she's flown many times, but always with a friend or the family. We all know how daunting airports can be when you're not comfortable. Plus, I had purchased the ticket for her and didn't want any trouble with her check-in.}

We arrived at the Continental ticket counter and the following conversation ensued:

Me: Hello, she is - -

Continental Lady (CL): What is your final destination?

Me: St. Paul/Minneapolis

CL: Yea...that's not going to happen. Your flight is delayed and the later flight will not get you to your connection in Houston with enough time...

Us: Umm...Ok. We didn't get a notice or anything.

CL: We can put you on that later flight and you can stay in Houston. Or you can fly out tomorrow morning and arrive in STP at 3:30pm.

Ginger: I don't want to stay in Houston where I don't know anyone.

Me: Yea, let's get her on that early flight tomorrow morning. But only if she gets guaranteed seats so she can get straight on a plane.

CL: We can do that.

And they did. Despite the lack of "customer service" informing us about the cancelled flight (which, if they had known about it all day, would have been easy to send an e-mail to all the booked flyers) they did a good job sorting it out. For that reason, I didn't push for any free flights or vouchers. If they hadn't been so great about it, I definitely would have.

I am so glad I went in with her to sort it all out. And I got another night with my lovely sister in Texas. Better yet, she got to spend an actual evening with Al since he didn't have to get up at an un-Godly hour on Saturday.

It was great to head to the airport on Friday and have it not be for me to fly back to Minnesota. I actually get to stay here for a while and it still feels a little surreal. I am truly loving my life right now.

Today, Al and I slept in until about 9am and spent the day running errands: grocery shopping and getting a few extra things for the place. He is currently taking a nap before he gets up to do some work and I am watching a Real Housewives marathon on Bravo.

{Am I the only one who is continually amazed at how terrible these women are to their "friends"? It's crazy to me how they are all so shallow and so catty. And yet, like any good train-wreck, I can't look away.}

I'm going to make dinner soon and probably curl up with my husband to watch a movie with a glass of wine. Have I mentioned that I love my life right now?!?